Beijing-based commercial space company GalaxySpace has launched what it describes as China’s first comprehensive satellite package for a Southeast Asian customer, signaling Beijing’s growing ambitions in the global space industry amid competition with U.S.-based SpaceX.

On Tuesday, GalaxySpace deployed the Lingzhi-09 Thailand CubeSat aboard a Long March-6C rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre, alongside six other satellites. The CubeSat was developed for Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency and is designed to collect remote-sensing data to support applications in land management, agriculture, and ecological monitoring. The project also includes training for Thai university students to build local expertise.

This deployment represents the first instance of a Chinese commercial space firm delivering a turnkey satellite solution — including satellite development, launch, and operational support — to a Southeast Asian client. GalaxySpace provided an integrated package covering the spacecraft, a ground control system, and personnel training. Thai staff received training in China, while GalaxySpace experts traveled to Thailand to assist with ground system infrastructure and testing, the company said.

Industry observers note a broader shift in China’s commercial space sector from simply exporting hardware to offering end-to-end service ecosystems. Yang Kuan, an associate professor at Beijing Institute of Technology, highlighted this trend toward comprehensive service packages tailored for international markets.

China’s private space companies are rapidly expanding satellite constellation deployments and pursuing international contracts, directly challenging Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet program. For example, Shanghai-based SpaceSail, which recently raised a record funding round, has obtained permission to provide satellite communications in Brazil and is exploring additional markets in Southeast Asia and Central Asia. Similarly, Geely-backed Geespace has conducted satellite communications trials with operators in over 20 countries.

However, despite progress in satellite manufacturing, industry experts caution that China’s commercial space sector remains constrained by the relative scarcity of affordable launch services. According to a recent report by the Mercator Institute for China Studies, launch costs in China can reach roughly $20,000 per kilogram—significantly higher than SpaceX’s pricing of approximately $2,700 to $3,000 per kilogram using reusable Falcon 9 rockets.

Nevertheless, China is making advances in reusable rocket technology. Private company LandSpace recently completed the first land-based recovery of its Zhuque-3 rocket’s first stage, a national milestone. This effort follows a sea-based recovery of the Long March-10B first stage, conducted using a net recovery method by a state-backed program last month.

Founded in 2018, GalaxySpace had launched more than 40 spacecraft as of early 2026, according to company general manager Peter Huang. The Thailand project is part of the company’s strategy to expand internationally, partnering with telecommunications and space industry players to test and validate its technology in different operational contexts.

GalaxySpace also plans to pursue an initial public offering on China’s A-share market later this year, joining other prominent private space enterprises such as LandSpace, Galactic Energy, and Spacety seeking capital to fuel further growth and development.